Chapter 203
“Honey, the real reason you came today wasn’t to pay your respects to Adriana, was it?” Vera asked softly.
Shepard let out a cold snort. That had been the plan, but now the whole thing was ruined.
He only had himself to blame-he’d lost his temper in a moment of recklessness. He’d meant to keep his cool, but for some reason, he just snapped today.
“We’ll talk about it another time,” Shepard said.
Vera smiled faintly and let the subject drop.
Spring break was over, and everyone was back at work. Effie returned to the design department.
She had barely pulled into the parking lot and was about to back into an open spot when a Porsche darted in out of nowhere, stealing the space right in front of her.
The driver stepped out-it was Nelly.
With an attitude as flashy as her sports car, Nelly strutted over and rapped sharply on Effie’s window.
As soon as the window rolled down, Nelly’s voice shot up an octave, dripping with disdain. “Are you blind? Didn’t you see I had my eye on that spot? If you scratch my car, even selling you wouldn’t cover the repairs!”
Her chin was tilted so high it was a wonder she could see anything at all, as if she looked down on the world from the bridge of her nose.
Effie’s own car was a modest, economy electric model-something Nelly clearly considered beneath her.
Effie shot her a frosty look and lowered her voice. “If you don’t learn to watch your mouth, next time I’ll show you personally how to use your eyes when you drive.”
She brushed her shoulder lightly, as if flicking off something distasteful.
“Oh, and that dust on your lips-did you pick it up slamming your brakes, or is that just your attitude spilling over?”
“I’d suggest you ask for a refund from your driving school. Clearly, they forgot the part about paying attention behind the wheel.”
“You-!”
Nelly hadn’t expected Effie to have such a sharp tongue; she looked like she might explode on the spot.
While Nelly was still fumbling for a comeback, Effie simply pulled away, leaving Nelly coughing in her wake as a cloud of exhaust drifted over her.
Effie found another spot with ease, parked perfectly, and walked off without a backward glance.
Nelly stomped her foot in frustration, gritting her teeth. “That witch-just you wait!”
Not far away, inside another car, Randell Hoffman watched the scene unfold. He turned to Lyman with a grin. “That woman can really handle a car—and her comebacks. She’s got my attention, that’s for sure.”
From the passenger seat, Vinson Elliott shot Randell a look that said, “Good luck, you poor fool.”
Randell frowned, puzzled. “What’s with the face? You look like you’re at a funeral.”
Vinson stifled a laugh. If only Randell knew. “Do you even know who she is?” “No idea. Do you?”
He glanced at Vinson, clearly expecting an answer.
Vinson’s lips curled in amusement, eyes glittering with mischief.
Last time at The Gilded Fork, Lyman had played a prank on him, sneaking Effie away before anyone could meet her.
So, no one here had actually seen Effie before.
This time, Vinson decided to let Lyman handle it himself.
“Ask Lyman,” he said.
Not suspecting a thing, Randell turned to Lyman. “So, who is she?”
Lyman’s face darkened like a stormy sky. “Why, are you interested in her?”
Randell shrugged, still watching Effie from a distance. “Can you blame me? She’s gorgeous.” Suddenly, he felt the temperature in the car plummet and swallowed nervously.
“She’s my wife,” Lyman said, his voice icy.
“What?!”
Randell nearly bit his tongue. He spun around to see Vinson doubled over with laughter, eyes squeezed shut.
If Randell didn’t realize he’d been set up by now, he’d have to be a complete idiot.
He glared at Vinson. “You knew the whole time, didn’t you?!”
Vinson just arched an eyebrow. “Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. But hey, Lyman hadn’t said a word-wasn’t my place to tell.”